Covers you like better than the originals
 

What cover songs do you like better than as they were done by the original artists? For me, one of the first ones that comes to mind is "Like a Rolling Stone".

First, the original, by Bob Dylan:

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Then, Jimi Hendrix's version, which I like much more: :cool:

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Any others?

Mercury Blues by 'imself

I like Meat's cover of "Forever Young", more than Bob Dylans version.

I also liked Elvis's cover of "Unchained Melody", better than the original; his version quiet simple blew me away. I was nearly in tears listening to it.

Michael McDonald's version of "Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher" is simply WAY better than the original in my opinion.

:twisted: Roy Orbison is the only person who I can listen to that song by.
The rest bore the ever lovin crap out of me.

Little Help From My Friends kicked ass when done by Joe Cocker.

The Bates did a good rock version of Billie Jean 8)

Mat Weddle's version of 'Hey Ya' > everybody else's version of 'Hey Ya'.

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Also, Jenny Owen Young's version of 'Hot in Herre'.

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I neither like Dylan's nor Meat Loaf's version that much, my favorite rendition of that song was done by Joan Baez. Wonderful voice.

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Sounds like an embarassing elderly persons choirleader to me. I def prefer Meat's version.

:twisted: How can we go on without mentioning this.............

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:mrgreen:

Jimmy Hendrix version of American woman & Meat's Mercury Blues

Meat has the tendency of turning even simple ballads into operas, regardless of whether it suits the song or not and he often acts more than he sings - I favor the "embarassing elderly persons choirleader". Sorry, Meat. :))

Just listened to Joe Cocker's version of She Came in Through The Bathroom Window. I like it better than the original by The Beatles.

Rod Stewart's version of Ruby Tuesday was better than The Rolling Stones' version.

i like many many many covers better than the originals... which has me asking the question... is it the song/performer or style... or the magic combination of the right song, right performer in the right style at the right time

OMG Neil, I'm shocked and almost upset with that coment. :-(

This version of Elvis singing "Unchained Melody", moved me to tears almost. It had everything and one thing is wasn't was boring. Despite everything he was going through to come out and deliver a performance like that was outstanding in my opinion.

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I also think Lea DeLaria did a fantastic job with Hot Patootie and Eddie's Teddy.

I cant say her Hot patootie beats Meat's but her Eddie's Teddy does and it also beats the movie version...

take a listen:

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http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r...arioSmiley.gif

It's showing up as unavailable for me. :(

it shouldve been processed by now. the songs werent on youtube and just uploaded it. give it 20 mins i guess

Anytime Elvis did a Beetles song, it turned out better than the original.

My favorite version of that song was the one I saw last November. I couldn't find any video of that show, but this one is a reasonable facsimile. ;) (I might add that I was standing at the front left corner of the little pit stage, which turned out to be a very good spot: :mrgreen: )

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I agree, Sarge- I think she has a beautiful voice.

That's an excellent question; I think it is some combination, but you have to have a great song to start with. It's interesting how many artists have covered Dylan's songs, yet for the ones I've heard, I almost always like the cover versions better. This makes me think that Dylan is a great songwriter, but not necessarily the best performer.

it gets blocked worldwide. removed it. better just listen to her versions on last fm

I Drove All Night by Cyndi Lauper is much better than Roy Orbisons. I find his voice only slightly better than someone scraping their nails down a chalk board.

Just. No. Orbison's has way more emotion and conveys the tiredness and loneliness of driving all night, really puts you in the picture. Lauper's version is horrid. Selon moi.

Well since the thread title is 'Covers you like better than the original' I can't be wrong. I prefer Laupers over Orbisons, mainly because I can't stand Roy Orbison. I'm not a big Elvis or Beatles fan either.

For me the Rolling Stones version of Like a Rolling Stone is the definitive version.

Bon Jovi's version of Hallelujah from Live 8... And I also quite like the duet Jon did with Bob Geldof of I Don't Like Mondays - mainly 'cos you can't hear an awful lot of Bob singing in it... :0p

Joe Cocker's version of With A Little Help from my friends is incredible compared to the original.

John Lennon's version of Stand by me is really good as well.

more recently i've been listening to this version of True Colours. Staind recorded it on Howard stern's show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nAz0-...layer_embedded

I prefer Guns n Roses version of Live and Let Die to the original by Wings.

Fantastic version of an amazing song :up:

The two covers that come to mind that were released/available to buy are Kenny Rogers' version of Islands In The Stream, and Meat's cover of Come Together.

Not covers as such but thinking of people doing their versions of songs...I never thought anyone would cover a Queen song and I would prefer it, because you can't beat Freddie, and then I saw Patti doing Under Pressure with the SAS Band. Phenominal. I can't listen to the original now without thinking of her version :up:

:twisted: Cyndi's version had a lot of merit IMO, but Celine Dion's was bloody awful :doh:

I didn't say you were wrong, just that I disagreed.

Can't think of a cover I like better than the original right now, but one I like almost as much is the Twisted Sister version of Leader Of The Pack. That's well worth a listen.

So was her version of Alone. For her all her vocal power, she couldn't touch Heart's version.

On a connected note, Meat's version of It's All Coming Back To Me Now was better than Celine Dion's

Oh, and Frank Sinatra's recording of For Once In My Life bettered Stevie Wonder's IMO.

Oh, I have so many....

Bonnie Tyler - To Love Somebody
Dolly Parton - Me And Bobby McGee
Michael Buble doing... well, pretty much anything... let's go with Cry Me A River
Su Pollard - Back In The USSR (no really, check this out...

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)
Shirley Bassey - Get The Party Started
Andy Williams - Aquarius / Let The Sun Shine In
Meat Loaf - Out Of The Frying Pan ;)
Tom Jones - most of the Reload album
Joe Cocker - With A Little Help From My Friends
The Baseballs - Umbrella

I love covers when they do something new and original with the song and the cover artist really makes it their own - for me all of the above do this!

Manic Street Preachers- Umbrella

Janis Joplin did a great version of that song, too. Janis as well Bonnie added a lot of passion and emotion to it and I love their hoarse voices.

Cowboy Junkies – Sweet Jane. Whoever wrote the original… was it Lou Reed?

Jarvis Cocker did a great version of the James Bond theme All Time High from Octopussy. Very unconventional but I do slightly prefer it to the original.

Agreed. Do you know, Michael Bolton also did quite a good version, and Nina Simone!

Couldn't agree more!

Also I realise I said I liked Jimi Hendrix version of American woman better.... he he. I know he did the original I ment I Liked Lenny Kravitz version better.... I always get them mixed up for some reason.

Agree - although it may have something to do with the associated image of Heather Graham in Austin Powers 2. ;)

No, actually it was The Guess Who that did the original:

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In regards to "To Love Somebody", according to Wiki, it's been covered by hundreds of artists, including:


* Nina Simone (1969 single and album To Love Somebody)
* Janis Joplin (on the 1969 album I Got Dem Ol' Kozmic Blues Again Mama!)
* P. P. Arnold (1968 )
* Joe Cocker
* Lulu (November 1967)
* Rod Stewart with Booker T. and the M.G.'s
* Billy "Crash" Craddock (from 1989's Back on Track)
* Damien Rice feat. Ray LaMontagne
* Eric Burdon & The Animals (1968 )
* The Flying Burrito Brothers
* Billy Corgan feat. Robert Smith (found on the 2005 album TheFutureEmbrace)
* Bonnie Tyler (on the 1988 album Hide Your Heart)
* Jimmy Somerville (UK #8 )
* Tom Jones
* Simply Red
* Blue Rodeo
* Jimmy Barnes
* Michael Bolton (Billboard #11 pop, #1 adult contemporary)
* Slobberbone
* Sandy Lam (on the 1997 album Wonderful World)
* Mule
* Gallon Drunk
* Silver Ginger 5
* James Carr
* Jordin Sparks
* Michael Johns (on the 2009 album Hold Back My Heart)
* Dusty Springfield
* Hank Williams, Jr. (on Family Tradition (album))
* Miguel Mateos, plays in live shows
* The Mighty Sparrow
* Eagle-Eye Cherry (on Y tu mamá también soundtrack)

I love the tune- I think it fits in the "great song" category! :-)

Now that you mention her, I remember her nice version of Cat Stevens' The First Cut Is The Deepest.

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That is a nice version! :-) That's another song I love. It's hard to believe that Cat Stevens was only about 19 when he wrote it.

Soul man by the blues brothers

All along the watchtower - Covered by Hendrix
Crossroads - Covered by Cream (they did alot of good covers of old blues songs)
Its my life, Smells like teen spirit, Jump - Covered by Paul Anka
Help from my Freinds - Covered by Joe Cocker
Foxy Lady - Covered by ZZ Top
Viva Las Vegas - As above
Roadhouse Blues - Covered by Jeff Heeley
Hey Joe - Covered by Hendrix/Deep Purple
Baby Please Dont Go - Covere by ACDC
Anything by my band :D :D :D

Thanks Julie!

I agree with these too

Poor Poor Pitiful Me by Linda Ronstadt is better than the Warren Zevon original.:-)

:twisted: Pretty much everything by the Blues Brothers was great.
Ditto THe Commitments.

Going back to Joe Cocker, I think his best cover version was Unchain My Heart.
He's done a lot of great covers though so uit's a hard choice.

I actually prefer the Randy Bachman live version of "American Woman" to any others.

Poker Face by Eric Cartman from Southpark is better than the original.

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I thought Wagner did a better job on Bat then the original 1977 version.

but in all seriousness Pointer Sisters Santa Clause is Coming to town is the best cover of that song to date.

Johnny Cash's version of Hurt
On that note Johnny Cash did some amazing cover versions (wouldn't say they were all better than the originals but excellent nevertheless).

Stereophonics version of Nothing compares to You is outstanding also.

Cat Stevens/Yusuf Islam's version of Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood is better than Nina Simone's original and the better known Animals version.

And if this counts - Richie Sambora's solo verson of I'll Be There For You is better than Bon Jovi's with John singing.

:up: :mrgreen:

yep, he's a legend!!!

handbags and gladrags by stereophonics. Imagine by Dolly Parton.

Agreed; I like his version of Further On (Up the Road) at least as much as Bruce Springsteen's: (as well as his version of Highway Patrolman)

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Bruce has done his fair share of great covers, though, and a few he has pretty much made his own, such as Jersey Girl and Trapped. I also love this version of Dylan's I Want You (MUCH better than Dylan's, IMO):

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I also LOVE Metallica's version of Turn the Page, as well as Tuesday's Gone (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover)

Also, pretty much the whole Seeger sessions cd by Bruce Springsteen is awesome. Hope he does another at some point.

Yep, I could go for that, too. :-) I also love the way he redid many of his own songs for that tour; Growin' Up is outstanding! :D

Within Temptations version of Running up that hill

Pure genius! :mrgreen:

(The original is by Willow Smith, btw: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymKLymvwD2U )

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I loved "Open All Night" and "Pay Me My Money Down"

Forever Never - You're The Voice

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These guys recently released a covers EP called "I Can't Believe It's Not Metal" and I think I prefer each of the covers to the originals! The tracklist for anyone interested:
1. You're The Voice (John Farnham)
2. Who Is It (Michael Jackson)
3. Still of the Night (Whitesnake)
4. Boombastic (Shaggy)
5. We Close Our Eyes (Go West)
6. Future Love Paradise (Seal)

That has got to be one of the best album titles ever! :D And a very cool cover- I think I might check them out.

"Pay Me My Money Down" is one of the most infectious songs I've ever heard. I find it nearly impossible not to sing along. :D

It's one of Bruce's best song choices of the last decade, one of the highlights of the SSB tour for me.

When it's done live as well, it just gets the whole crowd going in a massive way.

Janis Joplin singing my favorite version of Little Girl Blue:

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People will disagree with me, however, I prefer the Guns n Roses version of Sympathy for The Devil over the original version by the Rolling Stones.

Most of us know the Jeff Buckley version of Hallelujah but for me Imogen Heap's a cappella version tops that. It's very eerie but beautiful at the same time.

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Nice version. This guy did a good job on it, too (cool guitar solo):

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Wow great version too! Probably the most rock/blues-esque version of that song I've ever heard. That guy is very talented. Crazy to think Alexandra Burke can sell millions of copies fuelled via TV programmes and then there are version like these which in my opinion contain about a billion times the amount of emotion.

That is a great version- excellent guitar work! It's interesting to see how many different styles there are.

It made me think of this song, which is one of my favorite songs ever. It's very hard to cover Hendrix and do a good job, IMO, but I like both of these very much. The first one is pretty faithful to the original, although instrumental; the second one is pretty different:

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Stevie Ray Vaughan: I remember that performance and how he played the guitar behind his back during one of the songs. 1984 Loreley Festival. :cool: I have it on tape somewhere, I recorded it when it was broadcased on TV. How I miss the good old Rockpalast days... and SRV who died too early. :( It's always interesting to watch the great guitar men playing, they all had / have their own, unique styles. It's also cool to see their battered guitars that aged along with them.

The Corrs: Very nice and unusual version, I especially like the flute solo.

SRV is probably the only musician that I am sorry I never got to see live. :(

You can have your very own (official) copy of "Lenny", if you have about $17,000 to spare (probably more by now- neat story, btw):

http://www.fender.com/features/lenny/


Or, you could just get out your mother's nail file...;) :lol:


I like them... I like the flute also, as well as the violin. They did a nice version of "Dreams", also:

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Why is it that expensive? :shock: I saw replicas of Rory Gallagher's famous Strat being offered for less than 3.000 €. I'd pay that much and more for a guitar Stevie Ray or Rory really played but a copy I can build myself.

Yes, indeed. I always have to giggle when I think of that comment. :lmao:

I prefer scuffing my own guitars to buying a new one that just looks as if it has been used for ages. Maybe Fender will build replicas of my guitars one fine day, LOL. (Nah, I'm afraid I'm too lazy to ever become a really good player. ;))

It is pretty pricey...apparently, Fender bought the original (for $600+ K) at auction with proceeds going to the Crossroads Center; maybe some of the profit goes there as well? :shrug: Or, maybe they want to recoup their cost? :roll:

:twisted: Following on naturaly enough from SRV, Jeff Healey.

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Nice one! :up: Great movie, too. :-)


OK, since we're in this mood, here's another Hendrix cover- Clapton and Steve Winwood doing "Voodoo Chile" (and I was there :cool: ) :

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And now, for something completely different ;). I got to see this song that day as well, but it's much nicer here with the strings:

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